(AllHipHop News) The Institute of Hip Hop Entrepreneurship (IHHE) is looking for applicants.

The IHHE integrates Hip-Hop culture and practices into a hands-on training program. Philadelphia based Little Giant Creative runs the institute.

“With a poverty rate at 28.4 percent and a failing public school system, today’s youth face significant barriers to finding success, let alone a platform on which to build their dreams,” said Tayyib Smith, Founder of Little Giant Creative. “It’s an ironic status quo considering Philadelphia’s historic role in the development of Hip-Hop as a genre and cultural movement. Through the IHHE, we’ll build on this creative legacy by empowering nontraditional, underserved youth with the tools they need to achieve success on their own terms.”

The 9-month program is open to Philadelphians between the ages of 18 and 32. Each weekend-long session will focus on a new aspect of building a business by engaging in group work and team projects, competing in friendly competitions, and pitching their businesses to investors.

“Far too often, young people with real ambitions are overlooked by existing educational and business communities and programs,” added Meegan Denenberg, partner at Little Giant’s parent company, Meta Global. “Our goal is to have graduates with the skills, confidence, and networks to be successful in Philadelphia’s wider business community.”